U.S. patent application number 12/006710 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for pedestal sink towel holder, and towel holding method.
Invention is credited to Kyle J. Hendrickson, Matthew D. Wyatt.
Application Number | 20090172876 12/006710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40843410 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090172876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hendrickson; Kyle J. ; et
al. |
July 9, 2009 |
Pedestal sink towel holder, and towel holding method
Abstract
A towel holder is removably outfitted upon a pedestal style sink
for presenting both items to a user at a single station. The holder
is formed from a single rod member uniquely bent to effect a
three-dimensional structure having C-shaped lateral supports and a
C-shaped central support. The lateral supports each have a free rod
end, a lateral support end portion, and a rim-traversing-engaging
portion. The central support has opposed central support end
portions and a towel-support portion. The central and lateral
support end portions integrally form opposed sink-engaging
junctions. The free rod ends, rim-traversing-engaging portions, and
sink-engaging junctions engage the sink, and the inherent weight of
the rod member aligns the towel support portion relative to a sink
rim. The towel support portion of the towel holder may thus bear a
towel in adjacency to the pedestal sink.
Inventors: |
Hendrickson; Kyle J.;
(Elgin, IL) ; Wyatt; Matthew D.; (Apache Junction,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Meroni & Meroni, P.C.
P.O. Box 309
Barrington
IL
60011
US
|
Family ID: |
40843410 |
Appl. No.: |
12/006710 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/638 ;
211/119.009; 211/123; 211/181.1; 211/88.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/638 ;
211/181.1; 211/119.009; 211/88.04; 211/123 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/08 20060101
A47K010/08; E03C 1/18 20060101 E03C001/18; A47K 1/00 20060101
A47K001/00; A47K 10/00 20060101 A47K010/00 |
Claims
1. A towel holder-pedestal sink combination, the combination for
presenting a user with both a pedestal style sink and towel at a
single station, the combination comprising: a pedestal sink, the
pedestal sink having an upper sink rim, an inner sink surface, and
an outer sink surface, the inner and outer sink surfaces, and sink
rim being load-bearing; and a load-bearing rod, the load-bearing
rod having a rod weight and being bent at a plurality of points
intermediate its length to effect a three-dimensional structure,
the three-dimensional structure comprising opposed, C-shaped
lateral support structures and a C-shaped central support
structure, the lateral support structures each comprising a free
rod end, a lateral support end portion, and a central
rim-traversing portion, the central support structure comprising
opposed central support end portions and a towel-support portion,
the central and lateral support end portions integrally forming
opposed sink-engaging junctions, the free rod ends being engaged
with the inner sink surface, the rim-traversing portions being
engaged with an outer portion of the sink rim, the sink-engaging
junctions being engaged with the outer sink surface, the rod weight
for aligning the towel support portion relative to the rim portion
via sink-to-rod engagement, the towel support portion thus for
bearing a towel in adjacency to the pedestal sink.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the upper sink rim comprises
a substantially horizontal planar rim portion, the towel support
portion extending in a plane substantially parallel to the planar
rim portion.
3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the free rod ends comprise
interfacing means for enhancing engagement between the pedestal
sink and the load-bearing rod.
4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the rim-traversing portions
are substantially orthogonal to the towel support portion.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pedestal sink and rod are
symmetric about a medial plane.
6. A towel holder for use in combination with a pedestal sink
having a sink rim and inner and outer sink surfaces extending
therefrom, the towel holder comprising: sink-engaging structure,
the sink-engaging structure comprising a sink-engaging end, a
holder-engaging end, and a rim-traversing-engaging portion
intermediate the sink-engaging and holder-engaging ends; and
towel-holding structure, the towel-holding structure extending from
the sink-engaging structure at the holder-engaging end, the
sink-engaging end for engaging the inner sink surface, the
rim-traversing-engaging portion for engaging the sink rim, the
holder-engaging end for engaging the outer sink surface, the
towel-holding structure for bearing a towel in adjacency to the
outer sink surface.
7. The towel holder of claim 6 wherein the sink-engaging structure
and towel-holding structure are formed from a single load-bearing
rod, the rod having a rod weight and being bent at a plurality of
points intermediate its length to effect a three-dimensional
structure.
8. The towel holder of claim 7 wherein the three-dimensional
structure comprises opposed lateral support structures defining the
sink-engaging structure and a central support structure defining
the towel-holding structure.
9. The towel holder of claim 8 wherein the lateral support
structures each comprise a free rod end, a lateral support end
portion, and a centralized rim-traversing-engaging portion, the
central support structure comprising opposed central support end
portions and a towel-support portion, the central and lateral
support end portions integrally forming opposed sink-engaging
junctions, the free rod ends for engaging the inner sink surface,
the rim-traversing-engaging portions for engaging an outer portion
of the sink rim, the sink-engaging junctions for engaging the outer
sink surface, the rod weight for aligning the towel support portion
relative to the rim portion via sink-to-rod engagement, the towel
support portion for bearing a towel in adjacency to the outer sink
surface.
10. The towel holder of claim 9 wherein the free rod ends comprise
interfacing means for interfacing between the pedestal sink and the
load-bearing rod.
11. The towel holder of claim 9 wherein the lateral support
structures and central support structure are C-shaped.
12. The towel holder of claim 7 wherein the upper sink rim
comprises a substantially horizontal planar rim portion, the towel
support portion extending in a plane substantially parallel to the
planar rim portion, the towel holder being symmetric about a medial
plane.
13. An article support device for enabling article support from a
bowl, the article support device comprising: bowl-engaging
structure, the bowl-engaging structure comprising a bowl-engaging
end and a holder-engaging end; and article-holding structure, the
article-holding structure extending from the bowl-engaging
structure at the holder-engaging end, the bowl-engaging end for
engaging an inner bowl surface, the holder-engaging end for
engaging an outer bowl surface, the article-holding structure for
bearing an article adjacent the outer bowl surface.
14. The article holder of claim 13 wherein the bowl-engaging
structure and article-holding structure are formed from a single
load-bearing rod, the rod being formed intermediate its length to
effect a three-dimensional structure.
15. The article holder of claim 14 wherein the three-dimensional
structure comprises opposed lateral support structures defining the
bowl-engaging structure and a central support structure defining
the article-holding structure, the rod being symmetric about a
medial plane.
16. The article holder of claim 15 wherein the lateral support
structures each comprise a free rod end, a lateral support end
portion, and a rim-traversing-engaging portion, the central support
structure comprising opposed central support end portions and an
article-support portion, the central and lateral support end
portions integrally forming opposed bowl-engaging junctions, the
free rod ends for engaging the inner bowl surface, the
rim-traversing-engaging portions for traversing and engaging a bowl
rim, the bowl-engaging junctions for engaging the outer bowl
surface, the rod weight for aligning the article support portion
relative to the bowl rim portion via bowl-to-rod engagement.
17. The article holder of claim 16 wherein the lateral support
structures and central support structure are C-shaped.
18. The article holder of claim 15 wherein the rim-traversing
portions are substantially orthogonal to the article support
portion.
19. An article support method, the method for supporting an article
from a bowl, the method comprising the steps of: forming a member
into a three-dimensional structure having opposed upright end
sections transversely joined by a central section at opposed
section junctions; receiving a bowl rim into the upright end
sections such that free ends thereof are juxtaposed adjacent an
inner bowl surface; contacting the inner bowl surface with the free
ends of the upright end sections at a first set of opposed contact
points; rotating the member about an axis of rotation extending
through the opposed contact points; contacting the bowl rim with
the upright end sections at a second set of contact points;
contacting the outer bowl surface with the opposed section
junctions at a third set of contact points; and bearing the weight
of the load-bearing member at the first, second, and third sets of
contact points via the bowl.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising the step of supporting an
article via the load-bearing member, the article thereby being
supported by the bowl.
21. An article support method, the method for supporting an article
from a bowl, the method comprising the steps of: forming a member
into a three-dimensional structure having an upright bowl-engaging
section extending from an article-engaging section; receiving a
bowl rim into the bowl-engaging section such that a first end
thereof is juxtaposed adjacent an inner bowl surface; contacting
the inner bowl surface with the first end of the bowl-engaging
section at a first contact point; rotating the member about an axis
of rotation extending through the first contact point; contacting
the outer bowl surface with the bowl-engaging section with a second
end thereof at a second contact point; and bearing the weight of
the load-bearing member at the first and second contact points via
the bowl.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein a select bowl-engaging end
comprises opposed contact points, the select bowl-engaging end
being selected from the group consisting of the first and second
ends of the bowl-engaging end.
23. The method of claim 21 comprising the step of supporting an
article via the load-bearing member, the article thereby being
supported by the bowl.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of forming the member
into a three-dimensional structure is defined by forming opposed
upright end sections transversely joined by a central section at
opposed section junctions; successive steps being defined by:
receiving the bowl rim into the upright end sections such that free
ends thereof are juxtaposed adjacent an inner bowl surface;
contacting the inner bowl surface with the free ends of the upright
end sections at a first set of opposed contact points; rotating the
member about an axis of rotation extending through the opposed
contact points; contacting the outer bowl surface with the opposed
section junctions at a second set of contact points; and bearing
the weight of the load-bearing member at the first, second, and
third sets of contact points via the bowl.
25. The method of claim 24 comprising the step of contacting the
bowl rim with portions of the upright ends sections at a third set
of contact points after rotating the member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a towel holder,
and more particularly, to a towel holder which removably affixes to
a pedestal style sink or similar construction under the action of
its weight and structural configuration as situated relative to the
load-bearing sink to which it is affixed.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Restrooms have been the target of a wide array of
development over the years. In particular, attention has been often
directed at simplifying the restroom experience by placing restroom
specifics within close proximity to one another so as to generally
enhance the restroom visit. Some of the prior art concerned with
locating restroom specifics to a limited restroom radius, including
towel holding devices attachable to sinks and the like, is briefly
described hereinafter.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 573,835 ('835 patent), which issued to Taylor,
discloses a Display Rack. The '835 patent describes a display rack
comprising of side rods or wires united with cross rods or wires,
in which each of the side rods or wires is formed of two slidably
connected sections, one of which is provided with a hook to engage
one of the cross rods or wires, and each of the cross rods or wires
is formed of two slidably connected sections.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,851 ('851 patent), which issued to
Kuhne, discloses a Fastening Device for Sink Strainers. The '851
patent describes a device for clamping a sink strainer or like
receptacle to a sink. The device comprises a length of spring like
wire formed with a central loop. The ends of the loop extend
upwardly substantially in a plane thereof, which ends have portions
extending outwardly of said plane of the loop in substantially
spaced relation and being bent downwardly. At least one of said
downwardly bent portions is extended downwardly beyond the bottom
of the loop and inwardly of the plane thereof.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,128 ('128 patent), which issued to
Canalizo, discloses a Modular Bathroom Unit. The '128 patent
describes a modular bathroom unit constructed in a single cabinet,
in which a hydraulic system, a drainage system and the system of
regulation of different fixtures are integrated, and consisting of
a least one equipped washbasin, one toilet with cover and one
shower.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,123 ('123 patent), which issued to Riley
et al., discloses a Rack for Hanging a Dishcloth on the Inside Wall
of a Kitchen Sink. The '123 patent describes a rack designed for
attachment to the inside wall of a kitchen sink. A rod is connected
to two suction cups within a width that will accommodate either a
double or single kitchen sink. It provides a resting place for a
dishcloth to dry while being virtually out of sight. The support
rod is made of one integral continuous piece of material having a
straight elongated horizontal central rod portion for supporting a
towel and a pair of opposite reversely bent horizontal end portions
extending toward one another in generally parallel spaced
relationship to said central rod portion and being spaced from one
another a distance substantially less than the length of said
central rod portion. The suction cups are fixedly mounted on each
of the end portions for engagement with an inside surface of a sink
for holding said central portion in inwardly spaced relationship to
the inside surface of the sink.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,804 ('804 patent), which issued to Crum
et al., discloses a Device for Draining and Storing Items in the
Vicinity of a Sink. The '804 patent describes a device for draining
and temporarily storing items in the vicinity of a sink essentially
comprising a bucket and nestable strainer. The bucket has two
flexible straps which are secured to the interior of the sink basin
by suction cups thereby supporting the bucket and nestable strainer
adjacent to the sink basin without interfering with the workable
area around the sink. The flexible straps also facilitate emptying
any liquid accumulated within the bucket into the sink without
loosening the suction cup attachment by first removing the strainer
from the bucket and then tilting the bucket over the rim of the
sink basin.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,475 ('475 patent), which issued to Lim,
discloses a Rack Structure. The '475 patent describes a convenient
and multi-purpose rack structure comprising a fixing part which has
both ends bent and screw holes, screws inserted through an
installing part which has an opening to receive the fixing part, a
strengthen holder, and a hole to insert a bolt to sustain the
installing part on the wall. The strengthen holder forms steps to
adapt the holder on the bottom of the opening of the installing
part.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,547 ('547 patent), which issued to
Becker et al., discloses a Laundry Basin. The '547 patent describes
a laundry basin comprising a laundry basin body having a plurality
of walls secured to a base and a plurality of legs secured to the
body. A towel rack, a removable shelf and a removable soap dish are
secured to the laundry basin body. The shelf includes a support
member having brackets extending upwardly therefrom. The brackets
define recesses that are adapted to receive portions of the laundry
basin body. The soap dish includes a three-sided structure secured
to a perforated bottom wall that defines an open side wall at an
open top. The open side wall is positioned adjacent a laundry basin
side wall to define an open topped receptacle adapted to receive a
bottle of liquid soap. The towel rack is pivotally secured to the
laundry basin body.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,325 ('325 patent), which issued to
Comstock, discloses a Dishcloth Dryer Rack. The '325 patent
describes a dish cloth dryer rack comprising a wire-like frame
having a dish-cloth drying portion thereof, which drying portion is
curved to fit over a sink divider. The rack is held in place by
feet which support the rack above the level of the sink divider,
thereby providing a free air space between the rack and the sink
divider. A tool-carrying basket may be integrally formed with the
elongate portion to provide storage for soap and additional
cleaning tools.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,704 ('704 patent), which issued to
Michel, Jr., discloses an Adjustable Rack for Laundry Tub or the
Like. The '704 patent describes a stiff wire rack for hanging in a
laundry tub or sink that is adjustable to accommodate tubs or sinks
of various sizes. To achieve this objective, the rack comprises a
pair of rectangular rack members, which telescope together. Clips
slidably engage parallel adjacent stiff wire members on the bottom
of each of the telescoped rack members. Hanger members are
swingably attached at their lower ends to a side end of each of the
rack members and attach the assembly to an upper edge of a laundry
tub or the like via upper ends.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,847 ('847 patent), which issued to
Melton et al., discloses a Hanger Hook for Clippers. The '847
patent describes a portable clipper holding apparatus comprising a
generally "S"-shaped structure having a first arch and a second
arch, the first and second arches positioned in an inverted
relationship to one another. The first arch is configured for
engaging a substrate and the said second arch configured for
receiving at least one clipper and/or accessories.
[0015] United States Patent Application Publication No.
2007/0050951, which was authored by Simmons, describes a towel
holder device for maintaining towels in place, keeping them from
falling off of a rack or sink countertop. The device comprises an
elongated strip of solid material with two ends. The strip is
formed to create an enclosure space for holding a towel, with the
towel in a desired shape. The two ends are spaced apart and face
each other. The strip is formed of a material that has a flexing
ability sufficient to enable the two ends to be separated enough to
expand the enclosure space to enable the towel to fit into and out
of the space without resistance from the strip. The flexing ability
enables the strip to return to its original shape, holding the
towel with a friction fit to prevent movement of the towel. The
strip is capable of providing any of a number of changeable
decorative appearances.
[0016] United States Patent Application Publication No.
2007/0056091, which was authored by Bolton et al., describes a
Portable Wash Basin designed for children. The basin can be
connected to sink and pedestal lavatories with functional plumbing
features and include a concealed interior removable water reservoir
container for temporarily holding of used, dirty or soapy excess
water, which can be locked for child safety. The apparatus is
equipped with a pull out adjustable towel rack on the pedestal and
built in pull out step underneath the pedestal. Said apparatus is
designed with a storage compartment for placing dry clean hand
towels, first aid kit or other items. Safety latches are located on
the mobility apparatus to prevent the wash hand basin from moving
while child performs hygiene routine. The portable wash basin can
be used indoors or outdoors and incorporate various designs for
commercial use in public places.
[0017] It may be seen from an inspection of the foregoing art, as
well as from a consideration of the state of the art generally,
that the prior art does not disclose a pedestal sink towel holder
which removably attaches directly to a pedestal type sink under the
action of its own weight and load-bearing properties of the
structure to which it is attached. Further, the prior art appears
to be silent on a certain methodology for removably attaching a
towel holder of the specified sort to a load-bearing sink
construction for bearing articles such as towels and the like from
the sink construction for providing the towel and sink at a
compact, single wash station. The prior art thus perceives a need
for such a pedestal sink towel holder and associated methodology as
set forth in more detail hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The pedestal sink towel holder according to the present
invention is a device that provides a decorative and utilitarian
fixture from which to hang a hand towel. It is primarily designed
for use with pedestal type sinks. It also works well with nearly
all laundry type sinks, and vessel type sinks. While the material
from which the holder is constructed should be a strong, sturdy,
substantially rigid, load-bearing material such as steel, it is
contemplated that the commercial product may be made available in
brushed nickel, chrome, brass, and bronze finishes.
[0019] The device is simply constructed from a single load-bearing
rod (approximately 0.25 inches in diameter) which rod is bent into
a unique shape that allows it to hang off the front portion of a
pedestal or similar other type of sink. The rod has "hooks" on each
end that fit into the bowl of the sink, which hooks then bend over
the front of the sink bowl or traverse the upper sink rim, and then
form a "loop" that ties them together and forms the actual bar from
which to hang a towel. It is believed that the towel holder
according to the present invention provides a number of benefits,
including a decorative benefit, a utilitarian benefit, and an ease
of installation benefit.
[0020] In other words, it is believed that the towel holder design
enhances the appearance of any restroom with a pedestal sink,
commonly located in residential homes and frequented by guests. The
towel holder further provides the perfect placement for a hand
towel for both adults and children. It may further operate to
prevent water from splashing on the bathroom mirror and walls,
which may typically occur after one washes one's hands in the sink,
and otherwise reaches up for a more traditionally located towel as
mounted on a wall adjacent the sink. Moreover, the towel holder
could not be easier to install. The holder is simply removed from
product packaging and hung from the front of the sink.
[0021] To achieve these and other readily apparent objectives, the
towel holder according to the present invention provides a towel
holder for use in combination with a pedestal type sink
construction or similar other bowl-like body. It is contemplated
that the combination of a pedestal sink and towel holder may well
function to present a restroom user with both a pedestal style sink
and towel at a single wash station. The pedestal sink or bowl-like
structure usable in combination with the towel or article holder
according to the present invention essentially comprises an upper
sink rim, an inner sink surface, and an outer sink surface. The
sink surfaces and a portion of the upper sink rim are load-bearing
interfaces for bearing the modest loads of the towel holder itself
and any articles held or borne by the towel holder, such as
towels.
[0022] The towel holder is essentially a load-bearing rod having a
certain rod weight and being bent at a plurality of points
intermediate its length to effect a three-dimensional structure.
The three-dimensional structure of the bent rod preferably
comprises opposed, generally C-shaped lateral support structures
and a generally C-shaped central support structure. The lateral
support structures each comprise a free rod end, a lateral support
end portion, and a central rim-traversing portion. The central
support structure comprises opposed central support end portions
and a towel-support portion.
[0023] The central and lateral support end portions integrally form
opposed sink-engaging junctions at laterally opposed bends in the
rod. The free rod ends may thus be engaged with the inner sink
surface; the rim-traversing portions may be engaged with a portion
of the upper sink rim; the sink-engaging junctions may be engaged
with the outer sink surface; and the rod weight may well function
to align the towel support portion relative to the rim portion via
the aforementioned sink-to-rod engagement. Articles such as towels
and the like may thus be borne via the towel support portion in
adjacency to the pedestal sink or similar bowl-like
construction.
[0024] Other objects of the present invention, as well as
particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be
elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and
the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Other features of our invention will become more evident
from a consideration of the following brief description of patent
drawings:
[0026] FIG. 1 is an anterior view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present invention,
the towel holder holding or supporting a towel.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a first anterior view of a towel holder according
to the present invention showing opposed, capped, upright lateral
support structures and a central support structure extending
therebetween.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a second anterior view of a towel holder according
to the present invention showing opposed, uncapped, upright lateral
support structures and a central support structure extending
therebetween.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a towel holder according to the
present invention showing opposed, capped, lateral support
structures and a C-shaped central support structure extending
therebetween.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective end view of a towel holder according
to the present invention showing opposed, capped, roughly
ear-shaped lateral support structures and a planar central support
structure extending therebetween.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a towel holder according
to the present invention showing opposed, capped, lateral support
structures and a C-shaped central support structure extending
therebetween the central support structure being joined to the
lateral support structures at bent junctions.
[0032] FIG. 7 is an anterior view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 7a is an anterior view of a pedestal style sink usable
in combination with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 7b is a miniaturized version of FIG. 1, included
adjacent FIGS. 7 and 7a for ease of comparison.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a right lateral view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 8a is a right lateral view of a pedestal style sink
usable in combination with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 8b is a right lateral view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present invention,
the towel holder holding or supporting a towel.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a top plan type view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 9a is a top plan type view of a pedestal style sink
usable in combination with a towel holder according to the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 9b is a top plan type view of a pedestal style sink
outfitted with a towel holder according to the present invention,
the towel holder holding or supporting a towel.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view type depiction showing a
fragmentary cross section of a sink basin outfitted with a towel
holder according to the present invention to demonstrate
approximate load relationships.
[0042] FIG. 10a is a force diagram depicting the forces from FIG.
10 for ease of understanding.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic top view type depiction showing a
fragmentary sink basin section outfitted with a towel holder
according to the present invention to demonstrate approximate load
relationships.
[0044] FIG. 11a is an enlarged fragmentary depiction of the
junction otherwise depicted in FIG. 11, diagrammatically depicting
(1) a free end contacting the inner sink surface and causing a
first load, and (2) a rim-traversing portion contacting the outer
portion of the upper sink rim and causing a second,
oppositely-directed load relative to the first load.
[0045] FIG. 12a is a first sequential depiction showing a section
of the sink being received by a lateral support structure of the
towel holder.
[0046] FIG. 12b is a second sequential depiction showing free rod
ends of the towel holder contacting the inner sink surface and
being rotated about an axis of rotation extending through the
contact points.
[0047] FIG. 13a is a third sequential side view depiction showing
the rim-traversing portions contacting the sink rim and the
sink-engaging junctions of the towel holder contacting the outer
sink surface in a de minimis load scenario.
[0048] FIG. 13b is a third sequential top view depiction showing
sink-engaging junctions of the towel holder contacting the outer
sink surface in a de minimis load scenario.
[0049] FIG. 14a is a fourth sequential side view depiction showing
the rim traversing portions contacting the sink rim and the
sink-engaging junctions of the towel holder contacting the outer
sink surface in a fully loaded scenario.
[0050] FIG. 14b is a fourth sequential top view depiction showing
sink-engaging junctions of the towel holder contacting the outer
sink surface in a fully loaded scenario.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0051] Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns a towel
holding device or towel holder 10 as generally illustrated and
referenced in FIGS. 1-7, 7b, 8, 8b, 9, and 9b. It is contemplated
that the towel holder 10 is primarily designed for use in
combination with a pedestal style sink construction 11 as generally
illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1, and 7-9b. From an inspection
of the noted illustrations, it may be readily understood that the
towel holder-pedestal sink combination essentially functions to
provide a restroom with a wash basin towel station so that a
restroom user is presented with both a pedestal style sink and
towel 12 at a single wash station, thereby eliminating the need to
reach beyond the sink 11 to avail oneself of a hand towel 12.
[0052] Further, as earlier stated, the positioning of a hand towel
12 in (anterior) adjacency to such a pedestal style sink 11 may
well function to eliminate water from becoming displaced relative
to the wash station. In other words, the towel 12, being positioned
directly adjacent the sink, functions to eliminate the need to
reach beyond the sink 11 for a towel 12, and thus reduces the
likelihood that hand-borne water will contaminate areas other than
the bowl-like wash basin provided by the sink construction 11.
[0053] The pedestal sink construction 11 preferably comprises a
bowl-like structure or wash basin 13 as generally illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 7-9b, which basin or sink 13 comprises a substantially
horizontal planar upper basin or sink rim 14 as depicted and
referenced in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9; an inner basin or sink surface
17 as depicted and referenced in FIGS. 9-9b; and an outer basin or
sink surface 15 as depicted and referenced in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9.
It may be further understood from a comparative inspection of
diagrammatic FIGS. 10 and 11 that the inner and outer sink surfaces
17 and 15, and outer portion of the upper sink rim 14 provide
load-bearing structures. The basin or sink 13 may be held aloft or
supported by a pedestal as at 16 in FIGS. 1 and 7-8b, which
load-bearing pedestal 16 extends intermediate a floor or
ground-like support structure as at 19 and the basin 13. The basin
or bowl-like structure 13 may be alternatively attached to directly
to a wall (as at 18), though the latter scenario is not
specifically illustrated.
[0054] It should be understood from an inspection of FIGS. 10-11
that FIG. 10 depicts a fragmentary cross section of a sink basin 13
outfitted with a towel holder 10 to diagrammatically demonstrate
approximate load relationships of a lateral rod-to-sink engagement
site. Thus, though the force relationships depicted in FIG. 10a
would seem to suggest a net downward force, as gleaned from
relative force magnitudes, it should be noted that there are two
lateral contact sites, and thus the net force, if both lateral
contact sites were to be simultaneously figured, is zero so that no
acceleration is experienced.
[0055] Further, FIG. 11 diagrammatically depicts a fragmentary sink
basin 13 from a top perspective. From this perspective, it should
be understood that the relative loads depicted by vectors 102, 103,
and 109 will also cancel since the towel holder 10 is stationary.
The loads represented by laterally opposed vectors 103 occur
inferior to the inner sink surface 17 as emanating from the outer
sink surface. The ends of certain sink-engaging structures are
shown in broken lines to denote otherwise hidden structure.
[0056] The towel holder 10 is preferably constructed from a single
load-bearing rod-like material such as SAE 1008 wire stock having a
preferred diameter on the order of 6-6.35 millimeters. The
load-bearing material may be provided with any number of finishes,
including, but not limited to brushed nickel, chrome, brass, and
bronze finishes. The rod or rod-like material thus inherently
comprises a certain rod weight and, as may be readily understood
from a consideration of the depictions in FIGS. 2-6, is bent or
formed at a plurality of points intermediate its length to effect a
uniquely configured three-dimensional structure.
[0057] The three-dimensional structure formed after bending or
forming preferably comprises opposed, generally C-shaped and
substantially planar lateral support structures 20 as depicted and
referenced in FIGS. 1-7, 7b, 8, 9, and 9b; and a C-shaped,
substantially planar central support structure 21 as also depicted
and referenced in FIGS. 1-7, 7b, 8, 9, and 9b. From an inspection
of FIGS. 5 and 6, in particular, it may be seen that the generally
C-shaped lateral support structures 20 are generally ear or auricle
shaped having an upper helical portion and a lower lobe portion. It
is believed that the auricle shaped nature of the lateral support
structures 20 may well function to enhance the performance of the
holder 10.
[0058] In this last regard, it may be readily understood that the
lateral support structures 20 each preferably comprise a free rod
end 22; a lateral support end portion 23; and a central
rim-traversing and support portion 24 all as illustrated and
referenced in FIGS. 2-6. The rim-traversing portions 24 are
somewhat akin to the upper helical portion of an ear-shaped
structure; the free rod ends 22 are somewhat akin to the central
terminus of an ear-shaped structure; and the lateral support end
portions 23 are somewhat akin to the lower lobe portions or an
ear-shaped structure.
[0059] The auricle-shaped lateral support structures 20 enable
rod-to-sink engagement via six contact points, two of which are at
the inner sink surface 17, two of which are at the outer portion of
the upper sink rim 14, and two of which are at the outer sink
surface 15. The rod-to-sink engagement generally allows the
rim-traversing and support portions 24 to follow the
cross-sectional contour of the basin or sink 13. In other words,
the inner and outer sink surfaces 17 and 15 extend away from the
rim 14 and the rim-traversing portions 24 are preferably spaced
from the inner portion of rim 14, but contact the outer portion of
the rim 14 at laterally opposed sites as previously stated.
[0060] The central support structure 21 preferably comprises
opposed central support end portions 25, and a towel-support
portion 26 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 2-6. It may be
further readily understood from a comparative inspection of the
noted figures that the central support end portions 25 and lateral
support end portions 23 are integrally joined or integrally form
opposed sink-engaging junctions as at 27 in FIGS. 4-6, 8, and 9.
The free rod ends 22 may thus be engaged with the inner sink
surface 17; the rim-traversing and support portions 24 may be
preferably engaged with the outer portion of the upper sink rim 14;
and the sink-engaging junctions 27 may be engaged with the outer
sink surface 15 at the six contact points occurring during
rod-to-sink engagement.
[0061] The rod weight as at vector arrow 104 in FIGS. 10 and 11,
functions to preferably align the towel support portion 26 in
parallel relation relative to the rim portion 14 via the
rod-to-sink engagement, and the towel support portion 26 thus
functions to bear a towel 12 (having a de minimis load) in
adjacency to the pedestal sink 11 or similar other article having a
bowl-like structure. It will be noted that the towel support
portion 26 of the central support structure 21 lies within a plane
as may be understood from the plan type views in FIGS. 2, 3, and
5.
[0062] Similarly, the rim-traversing portions 24 of the lateral
support structures 20 are substantially planar as perhaps best seen
in FIGS. 4, 9, and 9b. It is contemplated that the rim-traversing
portions 24 may preferably be formed such that they are
substantially orthogonal to the towel support portion 26 so as to
enhance the symmetry and overall aesthetic appeal of the towel
holder 10, in addition to contributing the load-bearing properties
of the towel holder 10.
[0063] From a comparative inspection of FIGS. 2 and 3 that the free
rod ends 22 may preferably comprise certain interfacing or capping
means for interfacing intermediate the load-bearing rod and the
basin or sink 13. In this regard, the interfacing means may
preferably be exemplified by certain end caps 28, which caps may
well comprise certain polymeric materials to aid in enhanced
friction between the ends 22 and the inner sink surface 17, as well
as help prevent damage to the inner sink surface 17.
[0064] It is contemplated that the sink-engaging junctions 27 could
similarly be capped, or otherwise provided with means for
interfacing between the member 10 and the sink 13 although this
detail has not been specifically illustrated. In this regard, it is
contemplated that certain polymeric materials may be provided with
the member and (adhesively) affixed to the sink 13 or the member 10
so as to provide said interfacing means.
[0065] Further, it is contemplated that the member 10 could be
encased (by dipping the member 10 in a liquid polymer bath and
allowing the liquid to solidify) in a polymeric sheath so as to
provide member-encasing interfacing means. It is believed well
within one of ordinary skill in the art to cap contact points of
load bearing systems, or to otherwise provide such interfacing
means so that underlying structures do not become needlessly
damaged, and thus specific illustrations thereof have not been
provided.
[0066] It should be further noted from an inspection of FIGS. 1-4,
7, 7b, 9, 9b, and 11 that the towel holder 10 according to the
present invention is preferably symmetric about a plane dividing
the holder into left and right laterally halves. While deviations
from perfect symmetry about such a medial plane 108 (as referenced
in FIG. 2) could perhaps be tolerated, sinks and/or basins as
generically depicted and referenced at 13 are typically constructed
so as to be perfectly symmetric about a similar medial plane.
[0067] Without perfect symmetry about the medial plane, it is
likely that the towel holder 10 may not present a visually
appealing towel holding device. For example, the supported towel 12
may not appear horizontally level, or may appear lopsided relative
to the various sink surfacing. To achieve proper alignment, it is
contemplated that the towel holder be nearly perfectly symmetrical
about the medial plane diving the holder into right and left
halves, regardless of whether minor defects may be found in the
artistic renderings presented herewith.
[0068] While the above description contains much specificity, this
specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention.
For example, as is described hereinabove, it is contemplated that
the present invention essentially discloses a towel holder for use
in combination with a pedestal sink having a sink rim and inner and
outer sink surfaces extending therefrom. The towel holder 10 is
believed to essentially comprise certain sink-engaging or
bowl-engaging structure and certain towel-holding or
article-holding structure.
[0069] The sink-engaging structure is believed to be exemplified by
the free rod ends 22; the rim-traversing-engaging portions 24; and
the sink-engaging junctions 27, and may thus be said to comprise a
sink-engaging end (such as one or more of the free rod ends 22), a
holder-engaging end (such as one or more of the lateral support end
portions 23) and a rim-traversing portion as at 24. The
towel-holding structure may be exemplified by the towel holding
portion 26 as supported by the holder-engaging ends of the
sink-engaging structure. In other words, the towel-holding
structure extends from the sink-engaging structure at the
holder-engaging end. The sink-engaging end of the towel holder thus
functions to engage the inner sink surface and the sink rim; the
holder-engaging end of the towel holder functions to engage the
outer sink surface; and the towel-holding or engaging structure
functions to receive and bear a towel or similar other article n
adjacency to the outer sink surface.
[0070] It is contemplated that the sink-engaging structure and
towel-holding structure may preferably be formed from a single
load-bearing rod substantially as described and illustrated in this
specification. Prototypes not specifically illustrated have been
constructed from multiple elements and attached to one another to
perform a similar function. However, the one-piece construction of
the towel holder 10 has proven superior over the prototypes
previously developed and thus has been presented as the preferred
embodiment.
[0071] Notably, the load-bearing rod has a rod weight and is bent
at a plurality of points intermediate its length to effect a
three-dimensional structure, which three-dimensional structure
comprises opposed lateral support structures which may well
function to define the sink-engaging structure and a central
support structure which may well function to define the
towel-holding structure. The lateral support structures each
preferably comprise a free rod end, a lateral support end portion,
and a central rim-traversing portion. The central support structure
preferably comprises opposed central support end portions and a
towel-support portion.
[0072] The central and lateral support end portions integrally form
opposed sink-engaging junctions. The free rod ends may thus be
engaged with the inner sink surface; the rim-traversing portions
may engage the sink rim; the sink-engaging junctions may be engaged
with the outer sink surface, and the rod weight aligns the towel
support portion relative to the rim portion via sink-to-rod
engagement, which towel support portion may bear a towel or similar
other article in adjacency to the outer sink surface.
[0073] Certain towel hanging or article supporting methodology is
believed to be further supported by the foregoing specifications
and supporting illustrations, as well as the illustrations set
forth in FIGS. 12a through 14b. FIG. 12a is essentially a side view
or end view depiction of a section of the upper sink rim 14 being
received by the towel holder 10, as the towel holder 10 is
installed. FIG. 12b depicts the towel holder 10 being positioned
adjacent a bowl or pedestal style sink 13 (from a top plan type
view) such that the free rod ends 22 make contact with the sink 13
at a first set of opposed contact points (not specifically
referenced) but depicted as the tails of the illustrated load
vectors 102. FIG. 12b further depicts the free rod ends 22 being
rotated about an axis of rotation as referenced at 110.
[0074] FIG. 13a depicts the rim-traversing portions 24 are being
engaged with the outer portion of the upper sink rim 14 at a second
set of contact points, and that the sink-engaging junctions 27 are
being engaged with the outer bowl surface 15 of the sink 13 at a
third set of contact points. It will be seen that when the
rim-traversing portions 24 engage the outer portion of the upper
sink rim 14, a second set of contact points are engaged as at the
tail ends of vector arrows. Further, it will be seen that when the
sink-engaging junctions 27 engage the outer bowl surface 15 of the
sink 13, a third set of opposed contact points are engaged as at
the tail ends of load vector(s) 103.
[0075] The relatively low magnitude contact load vectors 102, 103,
and 109 are all illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 13a and 13b. A
small downward load (into the page) is further depicted and
referenced at vector arrow 104 in FIG. 13b. The load 104 attempts
to depict the weight (or a portion thereof) of the towel holder 10
as directed through the center of the towel holder portion 26 as
the towel holder 10 contacts the sink 13 at the six contact points.
Vector arrows 109 in FIG. 13b are depicted slightly and medially
offset from actual structural contact points since the vectors are
substantially collinear or coplanar with vector arrows 102. FIG.
11a, by way of comparison, depicts the arrow 109 laterally offset
from the actual structural contact point.
[0076] FIG. 14a is substantially identical to FIG. 13a, and FIG.
14b is substantially identical to FIG. 13b, but for the magnitude
of load vectors 102, 103, and 109. It may be seen from a
comparative inspection of the noted figures that the load vectors
105, 106, and 111 (roughly corresponding to vectors 102, 103, and
109, respectively) in FIGS. 14a and 14b are relatively greater in
magnitude as compared to the load vectors 102, 103, and 109. These
depictions attempt to illustrate that the full weight of the towel
holder 10 (or with the towel 12 also supported by the holder 10) is
at its maximum load and thus the loads at the surfaces 17 and 15,
and outer portion of the upper sink rim 14 are increased
accordingly. Vector arrows 111 are also depicted slightly and
medially offset from actual structural contact points since the
vectors are substantially collinear or coplanar with vector arrows
105.
[0077] The article or towel support method according to the present
invention may thus be said to comprise an initial step of forming a
member (such as towel holder 10) into a three-dimensional structure
having opposed upright end sections (such as lateral support
structures 20) transversely joined by a central section (such as
central support structure 21) at opposed section junctions (such as
sink-engaging junctions 27). After the member is formed, a bowl rim
(as at 14) may be received into the upright end sections (as
generally depicted in FIG. 12a) such that free ends (as at 22) of
the upright end sections are juxtaposed adjacent an inner bowl
surface as at 17. The free ends of the upright end sections may
thus contact the inner bowl surface at a first set of opposed
contact points as generally depicted in FIG. 12b.
[0078] The member may then be rotated an axis of rotation (as at
110) generally extending through the opposed contact points such
that the rim-traversing portions may contact the bowl rim at a
second set of contact points, and the opposed section junctions may
contact the outer bowl surface at a third set of contact points as
generally depicted in FIGS. 13a and 13b. The weight (as at 107) of
the load-bearing member may thus be borne at the first, second, and
third sets of contact points via the bowl 13. Further, an article
(such as a towel 12) may be supported via the load-bearing
member.
[0079] Stated another way, the method essentially functions to
support an article from a bowl, and comprises the steps of: forming
a member into a three-dimensional structure having an upright
bowl-engaging section extending from an article-engaging section;
receiving a bowl rim into the bowl-engaging section such that a
first end thereof is juxtaposed adjacent an inner bowl surface;
contacting the inner bowl surface with the first end of the upright
bowl-engaging section at a (first set of opposed contact points or)
first contact point; rotating the member about an axis of rotation
extending through the first contact point; simultaneously
contacting (1) the bowl rim with a rim-traversing portion and
support portion of the member at a second contact point and (2) the
outer bowl surface with the bowl-engaging section with a second end
thereof at a third contact point; and bearing the weight of the
load-bearing member at the first, second and third contact points
via the bowl.
[0080] A select bowl-engaging end may comprise opposed and
traversal contact points, wherein the select bowl-engaging end is
selected from the group consisting of the first and second ends of
the bowl-engaging end. The step of forming the member into a
three-dimensional structure may be defined by forming opposed
upright end sections transversely joined by a central section at
opposed section junctions; successive steps being defined by:
receiving the bowl rim into the upright end sections such that free
ends thereof are juxtaposed adjacent an inner bowl surface;
contacting the inner bowl surface with the free ends of the upright
end sections at a first set of opposed contact points; rotating the
member about an axis of rotation extending through the opposed
contact points; contacting the bowl rim with the traversal portion
at a second set of contact points, and contacting the outer bowl
surface with the opposed section junctions at a third set of
contact points; and bearing the weight of the load-bearing member
at the first, second, and third sets of contact points via the
bowl.
[0081] Notably, the foregoing steps may be essentially reversed for
removing the towel holder 10 from engagement with a sink
construction as at 13. In this regard, it should be further noted
that the towel holder 10 is designed so as to be easily removed
(e.g. for cleaning the sink 13) and installed without having to
manipulate fastening hardware or the like. Rather, the holder 10
may be oriented as shown in the drawings and installed on a
bowl-like structure as heretofore specified, thereby presenting a
towel support portion 26 for supporting dishcloths, towels,
garments, and/or any other similar item.
[0082] Although the invention has been described by reference to
several preferred embodiments and certain methodology, it is not
intended that the novel shelter construction and method of erecting
the same be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are
intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and
spirit of the foregoing disclosure and the appended drawings.
* * * * *